Research Uses Digital Images To Analyze and Track Structural Condition of Infrastructure Elements

Posted: Jun 10, 2025

Researchers at Colorado State University developed and applied a methodology for performing a complete structural analysis of transportation infrastructure elements, moving from digital images, acquired from either hand-held cameras or uncrewed aircraft systems, through several image processing schemes into a finite element analysis of representative structures. This methodology allows engineers and inspectors to quantify and track levels of damage and degradation over long time periods and compare original designs and geometries with current conditions. As these methods improve in accuracy, there will be a trend to automate and combine the current approach of using several different tools for the imaging, processing, and analysis into a single entity. With heavy use of aging U.S. infrastructure and limited resources for regular inspections, the methodology addresses the urgent need to accelerate the inspection process and develop inspection tools that provide workers with more efficient approaches.

Paul Heyliger, Ph.D.
Colorado State University

Monitoring Transportation Structure Integrity Loss and Risk with Structure-From-Motion
MPC-24-569